Benjamin Krause, composer & pianisthttp://www.benkrause.com
Tue, 23 Jan 2018 23:42:02 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.4IMTA/MTNA 2018 Commissionhttp://www.benkrause.com/?p=245
http://www.benkrause.com/?p=245#respondTue, 23 Jan 2018 23:42:02 +0000http://www.benkrause.com/?p=245http://www.benkrause.com/?feed=rss2&p=2450Spontaneous Combustion New Music Festivalhttp://www.benkrause.com/?p=240
http://www.benkrause.com/?p=240#respondThu, 11 Jan 2018 14:50:16 +0000http://www.benkrause.com/?p=240Spontaneous Combustion New Music Festival in Seattle in Portland on January 19 and 20.]]>http://www.benkrause.com/?feed=rss2&p=2400String Quartet No. 1: “Cascades” & The Delgani String Quartethttp://www.benkrause.com/?p=228
http://www.benkrause.com/?p=228#respondMon, 25 Sep 2017 21:46:22 +0000http://www.benkrause.com/?p=228
The work was composed from around January - July 2017 and was recently recorded in the studio by Delgani. Upcoming performances of the work will take place in Salem on October 29 and in Eugene on November 5 and 7. More information about the ensemble and its concert calendar can be found on the Delgani website. More information on the Cascade Quartet Project and Creative Heights Grant can be found here.

1. Write quickly.
2. Write slowly.
3. Plan, chart, and diagram the work's structure.
4. Write organically, without preconceptions of form.
5. Put the performers first.
6. Put the audience first.
7. Put the Idea first.
8. Use the piano to compose.
9. Compose away from the piano.
10. Use the computer to make things faster.
11. Do not use a computer for anything but engraving.
12. Create something profoundly new and distinct unto itself; do not retreat into history.
13. You are free to draw upon any style, school, or aesthetic creed as you wish; they are all equally valid.
14. Write music that moves the listener at the risk of sedation.
15. Write music that challenges the listener to the point of confusion.
16. Write music that pushes the performers to the brink of exhaustion.
17. Find your own path.
18. Take whatever path attracts you, even if it's well worn.
19. Your first idea is the best.
20. Your first idea is (almost) never the best.
21. Trust your instincts.
22. Dig deeper.
23. Composing should feel easy and natural.
24. Composing is one of the most difficult things you'll ever do apart from the everyday demands and trials of life, and it will stake a claim on those as well.
25. Poetic expressive markings can be highly suggestive and useful in conveying your intent to the performer in ways that the notation cannot.
26. Use only literal, specific, and unambiguous technical directions or the performer won't know what it is you're talking about.
27. Consider your own music in its cultural context.
28. Consider only the music; let the rest fall where it may.
29. Do what you're good at.
30. Work on your weaknesses.
31. Be a businessperson and promoter: you are your own marketing department.
32. If you write it (well), they will come.
33. Be practical.
34. Dream big.
35. Improvise in order to generate ideas.
36. Improvisation ≠ composition.
37. Try something totally new in every piece.
38. Find your shtick and stick with it.
39. Embrace disorder, incongruity, ambiguity.
40. Everything in balance.]]>http://www.benkrause.com/?feed=rss2&p=1653Site Maintenancehttp://www.benkrause.com/?p=162
http://www.benkrause.com/?p=162#respondThu, 11 Dec 2014 17:48:56 +0000http://www.benkrause.com/?p=162http://www.benkrause.com/?feed=rss2&p=1620